This month’s edition of Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten-Free, hosted by the always creative Diane at The W.H.O.L.E. Gang, is all about what we eat at the end of a meal. The theme “It All Ends Here” got me thinking. What’s the perfect way to close a meal?

For me, nothing beats a sweet treat that’s not too filling but still indulgent enough to kick a pesky sweet tooth. In the summer, a few ripe cherries or fresh Black Mission figs often will do the trick. Dates stuffed with almonds are another easy favorite. It’s always inspiring to visit the website of Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse and browse the desserts on the weekly cafe menu. While there are tarts and ice creams and plenty of artisanal pastries, the restaurant always offers a pure fruit option. Yesterday, for instance, I found my mouth watering at the first item on the dessert menu: A bowl of Sunny Slope Orchards Santa Rosa plums.

Just the name, Sunny Slope Orchards, conjures up visions of grassy hills, fertile earth, and bluebird skies. Surely their plums must taste like gems from heaven.

It’s true. Fruit in it’s purest from plucked straight from the tree is nature’s perfect dessert. Nutritious and naturally sweet, I try to use fruit as the base for most of my treats and after-dinner indulgences. These raw-inspired Raspberry Brownie Bites make a satisfying end to any meal. The flavors just sing. You get richness from the chocolate “crusts,” creaminess from the lightly-sweetened coconut “frosting,” and plenty of fresh, summery flavor from the raspberries.

Two or three bites of a luscious, guilt-free treat are all it takes for me to kiss that sweet tooth goodbye without feeling bogged down by a big piece of cake or pie. And for me, there’s no better way to end a meal than feeling my very best.

You’ll have more coconut cream “frosting” than you need for the recipe. Save the extra for dolloping on fresh fruit bowls or adding to smoothies. Also, note that you’ll need to use Thai Kitchen coconut milk here. I’ve tried other brands and they have been hit or miss with solidifying properly. Thai Kitchen works every time.

Carefully open the chilled can of coconut milk. Use a spoon to scoop the solid coconut cream from the top of the can into a bowl. Be careful as you get toward the bottom so that you don’t scoop up any of the coconut water that has settled in the bottom of the can. (Reserve the liquid for another use.) To the bowl with the coconut cream, whisk in the agave nectar and lemon zest until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag. Place it in the freezer as you proceed with the recipe.

In a food processor fitted with the steel blade, process the pecans, cinnamon, and salt until finely ground. Add the cocoa powder and pulse to combine. Add the dates and process until the mixture holds together when pinched between two fingers. Form the mixture into balls about 1 to 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Flatten the balls to form small disks. Arrange on a platter.

Pipe the coconut cream onto the brownie “crusts.” Top each with a raspberry. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tip: If you don’t have a piping bag, use a plastic food storage bag instead. Snip off one of the corners for a makeshift piping bag.

These look amazing – and bring to mind a question I’ve been wondering about for a while now. Can cashews or peanuts be used in place of the pecans/walnuts/almonds that are so prevalent in raw goodies? Due to serious allergies, I’ve skipped a lot of tasty recipes, and now hope to tackle some by swapping out the killers with ones I can use. (or is there so real reason all the recipes call for the p/w/a trifecta and I shouldn’t swap?)

Shirley: Thank you! I wish I was your neighbor and could just bring a platter of them over. :)

Jenna: I would try the cashews first. They probably won’t grind up quite as finely as pecans/walnuts/almonds do, but I think they still might give you the same nut flour effect. You may also try sunflower seeds or hazelnut meal (from Bob’s Red Mill) if you can eat either of those. Have fun experimenting!

[…] Something they could heat up on the fire if they wanted. And then for more Daily Bites I made raspberry brownie bites. I sure hoped they were getting all of these treats including a Tasty Eats From Home of […]

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I'm Hallie Klecker, a professional recipe developer, author, and passionate gluten-free foodie. As a certified holistic nutrition educator, my goal is to inspire others to live a balanced, nourished life through eating well and living pure—one bite at a time. Learn more.

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